Schooooool’s out for Summer! And while this means a break from the dreaded school run, there’s also the small issue of how to occupy the little people. Well luckily for us, there’s a number of awesome summer camps for kids in Dubai to keep the tots busy – whether they’re wannabe thespians or mini chefs in the making, check out the Sassy Mama guide to what’s on offer mamas.

We’ve been waiting for this awesome centre to launch and doors are finally open (stop by to check it out, mamas). With oodles of modern space and facilities to match, sign your kids up for summer camp where they’ll get stuck into pottery, theatre, arts & crafts and so much more. Classes are available in English and Arabic and a strong connection to Emirati Cultural Heritage is fab for helping our littles understand their surroundings.

A slice of NYC in DXB, this fab play space and learning centre is the perfect choice for kiddos aged 5 and under. Usually open to members only, the camps are available to all (although members get a discount) and will combine educational themes with creative projects that will see mini campers enjoying everything from cooking to gym classes, music to science (and of course that fabulous play area complete with mini New York Cab).

Keep your little monkeys occupied over the holidays with Cheeky Monkeys’ fun summer session! There’s loads planned to excite your littles whether they’re a little more creative with arts and crafts or you’ve got a mini Einstein in the family with crazy science experiments. Of course, they’ll be running round and about with their fantastic fitness through play classes and cooking up a storm while singing their hearts out as well – definitely one of the most eclectic camps of the lot!

Now we’re big fans of the Falcon Juniors’ Club summer camp (don’t believe us? Check out our beach club roundup), and we’re happy to see they’re hosting a fantastic summer camp! With themed weeks such as Space is the Place for your little astronauts, Safari Adventure for animal lovers and more, it’s chock full of arts and crafts, sports activities and tonnes of other stuff – there’s no way your littles are getting bored over the holidays. The best thing about it all? This awesome kids club is designed with both an indoor and outdoor space, including a splash park to cool off in – perfect! Oh to be a kid again, mamas.

When: 12 July – 27 August, Sunday – Thursday, 1-5pmWhere: Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, DubaiAge range: 3-7 years oldPrice: AED 520 for a three day camp, AED 850 for a five day campSpecial offer: 10% off available for multiple bookings up to four childrenHow to book: Email pmi.kidsclub.dl@fairmont.com or ring (+(971) (0)4 457 3331

Marina mamas with little kids rave about this indoor play area that offers a mini beach (sand play), climbing zone, dress up room and teeny race track for plasma cars – all available to little camp goers during free play sessions in between themed daily activities. From arts & crafts to fashion shows, face painting to fit kids, the team here plan to keep things varied and have lots of fun.

When: 21 June – 3 September, 9.30 – 1.30pm (or 3pm option for the older kids)Where: Favourite Things, Level 2, Dubai Marina MallAge range: 2-4 years old and 4-7 years old (under 4’s will need to be accompanied by an adult)Price: For the 09:30 to 13:30 session, the basic day rate is AED 140 per day for members and AED 170 for non-members. The week rate is AED 520 per week for members and AED 620 for non-members.
For the 09:30 to 15:00 session, the basic day rate is AED 195 per day for members and AED 235 for non-members. The week rate is AED 715 per week for members and AED 855 for non-members.How to book: Visit www.favouritethings.com or call (+(971) (0)4 434 1984

We’ve raved about the awesome facilities at FitRepublik before and we’re loving the sound of their summer camp where your little sports enthusiasts will be able to have a go at everything from gymnastics to aquatics, parkour (how cool!) to trampolining and even a little yoga to chill them out a bit before they come home. AND you don’t need to worry about packing up a lunch (phew) as the in-house restaurant Natalie’s Cafe will whip up something healthy and make sure they get snacks and drinks too, oh and the kids will get a camp t-shirt as part of the deal (nothing like belonging to a gang right? and much easier than that daily ‘what to wear’ saga). Want more info? Check it all out here.

When: 5 July – 27 August, Sunday – Thursday, 8.45am – 2.15pmWhere: FitRepublik, The Academies, Sports City, next to International Cricket Council DubaiAge range: 3-7 years oldPrice: AED 270 for a day session and AED 950 for each weekHow to book: Visit www.fitrepublik.com/#contactus or call (+971) (0)4 556 1800

Got a little traveller in the family? This fantastic nursery is celebrating multi-culturalism with their Around the World in 50 Days summer camp, which will take your tots everywhere from the chilly Arctic Tundra to the fiestas of Mexico. It’s all held in their gorgeous air-conditioned facility (don’t worry mamas, there’s no actual flying involved) and they’ll learn about the big wide world through awesome learning through play activities; think arts and crafts, drama games, role playing and more.

A picture book journey for any kiddo keen to tread the boards, learn the art of story-telling and act out some of their fave Julia Donaldson tales. Over 5 magical days your little people will be introduced to the Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Stick Man and The Snail On The Whale among other characters and will explore movement games, improve their literacy skills and get into tonnes of fun stuff including face painting, role-playing, puppetry and more – all in a cosy 70 seater theatre. Sounds awesome right mamas?!

Wannabe actors and actresses can practice getting into character with Kids Theatre Works whose summer camps will give them the chance to build confidence, get lost in make-believe and finish up by putting on a show (and which kids don’t love that?).

We love this homely little nursery in Umm Suqeim – a nostalgic step back in time to how we remember play school as kids (friendly, caring and 100% devoted to the happiness, wellbeing and personal development of each child). Summer camp here will offer access to the super cute facilities (including yoga room, library, sand play, bike track and music room) plus get the kiddos participating in good old fashioned activities like arts & crafts, cooking, music and dance and much more.

We’re sure that some of you have already been to this little slice of France hidden in the midst of stylish Galeries Lafayette – an elegant play space designed to look like a miniature French Town with everything from a life-size play house to multi-storey soft play jungle gym, mini supermarket and karaoke room to keep your tots entertained. The camp crew will put on fun activities including arts and crafts, baking, brain gym, dance classes, drama, games, grooving time, mad science and much more! There’s also the added bonus of being able to indulge in a little retail therapy at Dubai Mall post drop off. Just sayin’.

Sign your kids up to stay active while learning at playing at My Gym where Zumba, yoga, gymnastics, mixed martial arts, art appreciation, science experiments, cooking and music and dance are all on the cards. With weekly themes and activities for babes of 18 months up to 8 years, there’s plenty to stimulate, challenge and tire out your little tykes!

When: June 28 – September 5, Sunday to Thursday 9am -1pmWhere: 2nd Floor Lulu Hypermarket Building BarshaAge range: 18 months – 8 years (3 years and under must be accompanied)
Price:AED 195 per day and multi-day/weekly offers available tooHow to book: Please visit www.mygymuae.com 0r call (+971) (0)4 347 1018

What could be better than cooling off in the snow and hitting the slopes when temperatures outside soar? Ski Dubai are offering 5 consecutive days of ski or snowboard classes for kiddos aged between 3 and 13 years – whether they’ve already championed the mountains or are totally new to the sport there’s a slot for all abilities. And mama can relax with a chocolat chad overlooking the piste.

When: Various dates available throughout Ramadan, Eid and August (please check the website for details)Where: Ski Dubai, Mall of the EmiratesAge range: 3 years – 13 years
Price:AED 780 for 1 hour for 5 consecutive days for ages 3-6 and AED 910 for 1.5 hours for 5 consecutive days for ages 7-13How to book: Please visit www.theplaymania.com/skidubai/summer-camp

Worried that the kids won’t get enough exercise when the beach is out of bounds and a trip to the park is hotter than Brad Pitt? Well how about daily swim lessons with Speedo Swim Squads who will be holding weekly courses in various locations across Dubai and for all ages (starting from 6 months – right up to adults so mama can get in on the action too). Whether your littles want to perfect their squad training or just have fun splashing and learning the basics, the weekly sessions are just what’s needed for burning off some energy.

When: 28 June – 3 SeptemberWhere: Collegiate American School, Nord Anglia International School and Hamdan Sports ComplexAge range: 6 months and up
Price:Prices vary depending on age group, a 15% discount is given to anyone booking and pre-paying for a 4 week course.How to book: Please visit www.speedoswimsquads.com

Got a kiddo who can’t keep out of the kitchen? Consider Top Chef’s fun summer camp, where they’ll learn to make scrummy meals, which they get to eat afterwards. (Phew, that’s lunch sorted!) Running from Sunday to Thursday starting on 12 July, these morning classes will cover basic cooking skills under the guidance of Top Chef’s professional team such as how to use age-appropriate kitchen equipment through to ensuring your kitchen’s always clean. Aside from cooking, Lebanese/Korean artist Rania Daou from mylittlepainter will be leading fun arts and crafts classes and they’ll be able to work off that energy at Nathalie’s yoga classes.

Sassy Mama is the go-to guide for modern mamas. We scour, sweat, drag strollers through the sand and brave the queues on SZR, just to bring you the latest news on what’s hot (literally!) in the world of parenting in Dubai.